Feb. 23, 2026
By Alyssa Zelaya
Staff Writer
For a second consecutive school year, juniors and seniors are getting hands-on experience as student teaching assistants.
Thirty-two upperclassmen in this program support 19 teachers by assisting with tasks such as taking attendance, distributing papers, answering students’ questions and grading assignments.
Senior Clara Fonkats, a teaching assistant in Mrs. Isola’s Period 7 Algebra I class, said this program has improved her ability to clearly convey ideas, which will help her in her intended career as a radiologist.
“They’re so used to the student side, and now they’re up in [front of] the classroom.”
“Let’s say I have to explain a diagnosis to a patient,” Fonkats said. “[Explanation] skills are a really important part of [the job].”
Fonkats said one of her responsibilities as a teaching assistant is to establish boundaries so the students see her as an educator rather than a peer.
“Some [students] are too comfortable if they know me outside of school, but I see everyone in there as a student. I don’t give any favoritism, [and] I always make sure to stand my ground,” Fonkats said.
Isola, who has four teaching assistants across her five classes, said the program benefits LHS’ faculty, especially when it comes to taking attendance.
“While I’m taking attendance, [the teaching assistants] are looking at the phone caddies, or if a student is raising their hand and I’m on the opposite side of the room, they can help,” Isola said.
She said the program helps student teaching assistants develop a sense of responsibility.
“They’re so used to the student side, and now they’re up in [front of] the classroom,” Isola said.
Junior Emmanuel Leon, a teaching assistant in Mrs. Paluzzi’s Period 8 English II class, said this role has equipped him with skills he can use in his future career as a doctor and in other aspects of his life.
“It has helped me grow as an individual by improving my communication skills with students and being patient by understanding that all students are different in terms of learning styles,” Leon said.
Leon said he can recall many moments when he felt successful as a teaching assistant.
“One time, the class was writing essays as one of the bigger assignments of the marking period. One student in particular was struggling to get their ideas on the paper, and I remember standing there with them, helping them verbalize their ideas,” Leon said.
Paluzzi, who has a teaching assistant in all four of her English classes, said teaching assistants must demonstrate a variety of positive attributes.
“A successful TA should be patient and comfortable interacting with peers. Strong communication skills and a positive attitude also make a tremendous difference,” Paluzzi said.
In the coming school years, Paluzzi said she hopes more students become teaching assistants.
“TAs have the opportunity to step into a leadership role quickly,” Paluzzi said. “It can be empowering for them to realize the influence they can have on a classroom and the importance of being a positive role model for younger students.”
